IRL Profile

Cesario was one of the most accomplished fillies of her generation and later became one of the most influential broodmares in modern Japanese racing. A bay mare foaled on 31 March 2002, she was bred by Northern Farm in Hokkaido and raced for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd. Trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, Cesario was by the legendary Special Week out of Kirov Premiere, a daughter of Sadler's Wells, giving her an exceptional blend of Japanese stamina and elite European bloodlines.

Elegant, athletic, and remarkably versatile, Cesario demonstrated top-class ability over middle distances on both firm and soft ground. Her calm temperament and powerful finishing kick quickly established her as one of Japan's brightest young fillies, while her later achievements abroad elevated her into the history books.

Early Career

Cesario made her debut as a two-year-old in late 2004, immediately impressing with a comfortable victory. She followed this with another success before finishing second in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (GI), Japan's premier race for two-year-old fillies.

Although narrowly beaten, the performance confirmed that she belonged among the country's elite juveniles.

Three-Year-Old Season

Returning as a three-year-old in 2005, Cesario rapidly developed into the leading filly of her generation.

After winning the Flower Cup (GIII), she contested the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) over 2,400 metres.

Displaying her trademark patience, Cesario settled comfortably behind the leaders before producing a sustained run in the home straight. Her powerful finish carried her to victory, securing the Oaks and establishing herself as Japan's premier three-year-old filly.

Rather than ending her season there, her connections chose an ambitious path that would define her career.

Historic American Victory

Following her triumph in the Japanese Oaks, Cesario's connections set their sights overseas rather than remaining at home for the remainder of her three-year-old season.

Travelling to Hollywood Park in California for the American Oaks Invitational (GI), Cesario faced unfamiliar surroundings, a long international journey, and a field of elite American fillies.

Ridden confidently by Yasunari Iwata, she settled comfortably before unleashing her trademark acceleration around the final bend. Drawing clear in the straight, she won by an emphatic four lengths, leaving little doubt she was the best horse in the race.

The victory made history.

Cesario became the first Japanese-trained horse ever to win a Grade 1 race in the United States, a landmark achievement that further demonstrated the growing strength of Japanese Thoroughbred racing on the international stage. Her dominant performance attracted worldwide attention and helped pave the way for later generations of Japanese horses to compete successfully overseas.

Retirement

Unfortunately, Cesario's racing career was cut short.

Following her return to Japan, veterinary examinations revealed ligament problems that prevented her from returning to full training. Rather than risking her long-term health, connections elected to retire her while still at the peak of her abilities.

Although she retired after only six career starts, she had already established herself among the finest fillies of her generation.

Her final record stood at:

• 6 starts
• 5 wins
• 2 seconds

A Legendary Broodmare

If Cesario's racing career was exceptional, her achievements as a broodmare proved even more remarkable.

Bred with the incomparable King Kamehameha, she produced Epiphaneia, winner of the Japan Cup (GI) and later an outstanding stallion whose offspring include Efforia, winner of the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen.

She also produced Leontes, winner of the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (GI) and later sire of the outstanding mare Brede Weg.

Perhaps even more impressively, Cesario produced Saturnalia, winner of the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), and Cesario's influence continues to shape Japanese racing through multiple generations.

Few mares have contributed so profoundly to the modern Japanese Thoroughbred.

Legacy

Although her racing career lasted barely a year, Cesario's impact on Japanese racing has been immense.

Her victories demonstrated that Japanese-trained fillies could succeed internationally, while her extraordinary success as a broodmare established one of the most influential maternal families in the modern Stud Book.

As the daughter of Special Week, she carried forward one legendary bloodline before creating another of her own.

Today, Cesario is remembered not only as an outstanding racehorse, but as one of the foundation mares whose descendants continue to compete at the highest levels around the world.

Her remarkable career inspired her inclusion in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, where her elegance, quiet confidence, and international success are reflected in her character.

Career Summary

• Foaled: 31 March 2002
• Colour: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Breeder: Northern Farm
• Owner: Sunday Racing Co., Ltd.
• Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii
• Sire: Special Week
• Dam: Kirov Premiere
• Damsire: Sadler's Wells
• Starts: 8
• Wins: 5
• Seconds: 2
• Thirds: 1
• Prize Money: ¥296,760,000

Major Victories

• Flower Cup (GIII)
• Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (GI)
• American Oaks Invitational (GI)

Notable Characteristics

• First Japanese-trained horse to win a Grade 1 race in the United States.
• Brilliant middle-distance filly.
• Daughter of Special Week.
• One of Japan's greatest modern broodmares.
• Dam of multiple Grade 1 winners and influential stallions.

Legacy as a Broodmare

Notable offspring include:

• Epiphaneia – Japan Cup winner and leading sire.
• Leontes – Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes winner and successful sire.
• Saturnalia – Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner.

Through her descendants, Cesario's influence continues to shape Japanese racing and breeding more than two decades after her own racing career ended.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesario_(horse)
• https://db.netkeiba.com/horse/2002100814/
• https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000734042/
• https://umamusu.wiki/IRL:Cesario